Technical Field: -
The present disclosure relates to an integrated cashless transaction system and more particularly to, but not limited to, an integrated cashless transaction system implemented over a central collaborative platform.
Background: -
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely used to carry out banking transactions. These machines are costly and highly secured as they contain currency. Today long queues are seen in Bank Branches (Teller) and at ATM locations. While some users wait for cash/teller transactions, others wait for non-cash transactions (check their balance, perform fund transfer etc.). However, time is wasted especially when the ATM machines are combined for cash as well as cashless transactions. Modern banking needs the Tellers to spend time on up-selling, cross-selling banking services and products instead of assisting customers for tasks that can be automated or rather self serviced. To enable this, customers can be empowered with Self Service Banking Kiosk integrated with a collaborative platform that will offer IP Telephony integration to bridge the Customer-to-Bank communication, resulting in high levels of customer satisfaction.
There are presently solutions, which provide separate machines to cater to cash transactions and cashless transactions, however, these solutions require huge amount of space. Such solutions are also extremely expensive in their maintenance.
Summary: -
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an integrated cashless transaction system comprising a packet based communication unit, at least one reading unit, a printing unit and a transaction processing unit coupled to the packet based communication unit, the reading unit, the printing unit and an information server. The transaction processing unit may be configured to enable and proves a cashless transaction based on the information received from the information server such that the transaction occurs on a central collaborative platform.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the packet based communication unit may be configured to enable communication between a user of the transaction system and the user handling the information server.
According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the central collaborative platform may be configured to be context sensitive and direct the information server to enable communication between the user of the transaction system and appropriate user handling the information server.
According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the packet based communication unit may be such as an IP Telephony based phone and the reading unit may be such as a magnetic card reader, scanner and a touch-screen based reader.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the information server may be a host processor and/or a bank server.
According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the printing unit may be such as a record printer to provide the user of the transaction system with a record of the transaction.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated cashless transaction system may be integrated with a user interface coupled to the transaction processing unit.
Brief Description of Drawings: -
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram representation of an integrated cashless transaction
system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram representation of an integrated cashless transaction
system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram representation of a method for integrated cashless
transactions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates a flow diagram representation of a method for integrated cashless
transactions according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
Detailed Description: -
The following discussion provides a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which various embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The aspects and embodiments are described in the general context of computer executable mechanisms such as routines executed by a general purpose computer e.g. a server or personal computer. The embodiments described herein can be practiced with other system configurations, including Internet appliances, hand held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, mini computers, mainframe computers and the like. The embodiments can be embodied in a special purpose computer or data processor that is specifically programmed configured or constructed to perform one or more of the computer executable mechanisms explained in detail below.
Exemplary embodiments now will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the particular exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting.
Figure 1 of the present disclosure illustrates an integrated cashless transaction system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the embodiment, the system 100 comprises a packet based communication unit 101, a reading unit 102, a printing unit 103 and a transaction processing unit 104 coupled to the packet based communication unit 101, reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103. The transaction processing unit 104 is further coupled to an information server 105. The transaction processing unit 104 may be configured to enable and process a cashless transaction based on user transaction request and information received from the information server 105 such that the transaction occurs over a central collaborative platform.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the packet based communication unit 101 may be configured to enable communication between a user of the transaction system 100 and the user handling the information server 105.

According to the above-mentioned embodiments, the packet based communication unit 101 is configured to enable a communication between the user of the transaction system 100 and the user handling the information server 105 over a packet based communication channel. According to an embodiment, the packet based communication unit 101 may be an IP Telephony based phone.
According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the reading unit 102 is configured to read a user object provided by the user of the transaction system 100 and enable the transaction processing unit 104 to appropriately process the user transaction request. The user transaction request is authenticated by the information server 104 and accordingly processed. In a case where the user transaction request is not authenticated due to error in the user object or otherwise, the user transaction request is not processed.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the reading unit 102 may be such as a magnetic card reader, a scanner and a touch-screen based reader. Further, the user object may be a debit card, a credit card, a thumb print or a hand scan. Accordingly, the user transaction request is authenticated based on the information associated with the user object i.e. if a debit/credit card is read by a magnetic card reader, the user would be required to input a Personal Identification Number (PIN) code to authenticate his transaction request. In cases, where a thumb/hand print is scanned, the user may again be required to input a PIN code to authenticate his transaction request. For the same, according to an embodiment, the transaction system 100 is integrated with a user interface 106 coupled to the transaction processing unit 104.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the information server 105 may be configured to serve as a host processor and/or a bank server. According to an embodiment, the information server 105 and the bank server are completely separate entities.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the printing unit 103 is such as a record printer to provide the user of the transaction system with a record of the transaction system.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the central collaborative platform is configured to be context sensitive and direct the information server 105 to enable communication between the user of the transaction system 100 and appropriate user handling the information server 105. Therefore, in case a user has a query and makes a transaction request whereby he would like to communicate with the bank, the central collaborative platform identifies the classification of the transaction request and directs the information server 105 to enable communication with an executive of the bank from the department relevant to the classification of the transaction request. As an example of the embodiment, if a user hasa query pertaining to application of a home loan, he

inserts his debit card and enters the PIN code for authentication and enters his query by way of a transaction request. The transaction request may be made either verbally through the IP Telephony based phone or through the user interface. Accordingly, the central collaborative platform classifies the transaction request as "Loan" and thereby directs the information server 105 to enable communication of the user to an executive in the "Loan" department of the bank at the bank server end. Once, the transaction request is completed, the printing unit 103 prints a record of the same for the user.
Figure 2 further illustrates a block diagram of an integrated cashless transaction system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The transaction system 200 comprises an IP Telephony based phone 201, a magnetic card reader 202, a user interface 206, a printer 203 and a transaction processing unit 204 coupled to the IP Telephony based phone 201, the magnetic card reader 202, the user interface 206 and the printer 203. The transaction processing unit 204 is further coupled to an information server 205, which is configured to serve as a host processor. The information server 205 is further coupled to a bank server 207, which is configured to provide information as per the bank databases.
A user of the transaction system 200 provides a user object i.e. his debit/credit card to the magnetic card reader 202. The user may swipe or dip the card in the card reader. The user then input his PIN code and transaction request through the user interface 206 to authenticate the same. The PIN code and transaction request are forwarded to the transaction processing unit 204, which then forwards the same to the information server 205 and bank server 207. Upon authentication, the transaction processing unit 204 processes a cashless transaction based on the user transaction request and information received from the information server 205 and bank server 207 such that the transaction occurs over a centra! collaborative platform.
As an example of the embodiment, the user inserts his debit card in the magnetic card reader 202 and through the user interface 206 inputs his PIN code. Upon authentication, the user specifies his transaction request, which may be transfer of funds. The transaction processing unit 204 upon receiving such a request forwards the same to the bank server 207 through the information server 205 to verify whether the user is authenticated to make such a request and whether the user has sufficient funds in his account to process the transaction request. If yes, the transaction processing unit 204 enables the processing of cashless transaction based on the transaction request and the information received from the information server 205 and the bank server 207. Upon completion of the transaction, the transaction processing unit 204 directs the printer 203 to accordingly print a record of the transaction.

As per another example of the embodiment, the user inserts his debit card in the magnetic card reader 202 and through the user interface 206 inputs his PIN code. Upon authentication, the user specifies his transaction request whereby he may request for a conversation with a bank executive regarding a particular query and therefore, make a transaction request. The transaction processing unit 204 upon receiving such a request forwards the same to the bank server 207 through the information server 205 to verify whether the user is authenticated to make such a request, if yes, the central collaborative platform classifies the transaction request and thereby directs the information server 205 to enable communication of the user to an executive in the department of the bank at the bank server end as classified by the central collaborative platform. As a further example, the user requires information on credit card application and makes a transaction request with a query relevant to the same. The central collaborative platform would therefore, classify the transaction request and enable the transaction processing unit 204 to direct the communication of the user over the IP Telephony based phone 201 to an executive in the credit card department of the bank.
Once, the transaction has been completed, the transaction processing unit 204 directs the printer 203 to print a record of the transaction for the user.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the transaction system may comprise more than one reading unit to reduce fraudulent transactions. According to the embodiment, the transaction system may comprise a magnetic card reader and a facial recognition unit together to ensure that the card is not used fraudulently.
According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated cashless transaction system is integrated with a voice assistance unit configured to guide a user through the transactions.
According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the packet based communication unit is configured to enable a user to communicate with a bank executive over a video call.
Embodiments of the method for integrated cashless transactions are described in Figures 3 and 4. The methods are illustrated as a collection of blocks in a logical flow graph, which represents a sequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The order in which the process is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described blocks can be combined in any order to implement the process, or an alternate process.
Figure 3 illustrates a method for integrated cashless transactions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The user object inserted by a user is read 301 and transaction request is entered

via the user interface 302. The transaction processing unit forwards the same to the bank server through the information server to authenticate the same 303. Upon authentication from the bank server, the transaction processing unit processes the transaction as per the user request and information received from the information server 304 over a central collaborative platform.
Figure 4 illustrates a method for integrated cashless transactions according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. The user object inserted by a user is read 401 and transaction request is entered via the user interface 402. The transaction processing unit forwards the same to the bank server through the information server to authenticate the same 403. Upon authentication from the bank server, the transaction request is classified 404 and the user of the transaction system is directed to the appropriate user at the information server/bank server end 405.
Embodiments of the present disclosure ensure cost saving as they do not need to pay huge amount of money for the leased lines currently used and the bandwidth requirement is also significantly reduced. Such cost saving occurs as embodiments of the present disclosure utilize IP based communication channels between the information server and the bank servers.
Further, embodiments of the present disclosure have a small form factor and require less space. These may also be deployed outside, inside or may even part of a mobile facility.
As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the present invention may be embodied as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, a software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects all generally referred to herein as a "circuit" or "module." Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.
Furthermore, the present invention was described in part above with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention.
It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the

processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer- readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus like a scanner/check scanner to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The flowchart and schematic diagrams of Figures 1-4 illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operations of some embodiments of methods, systems, and computer program products of integrated cashless banking transactions. In this regard, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in other implementations, the function(s) noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention. Although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined by the following
claims.

We claim: -
1. An integrated cashless transaction system comprising: -
a. a packet based communication unit;
b. at least one reading unit;
c. a printing unit; and
d. a transaction processing unit coupled to the packet based communication unit, the
reading unit, the printing unit and an information server, the transaction processing
unit configured to enable and process a cashless transaction based on user
transaction request and information received from the information server such that
the transaction occurs on a central collaborative platform.
2. An integrated cashless transaction system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the packet based communication unit is configured to enable communication between a user of the transaction system and the user handling the information server.
3. An integrated cashless transaction system as claimed in claim 1 and 2 wherein the central collaborative platform is configured to be context sensitive and direct the information server to enable communication between the user of the transaction system and appropriate user handling the information server.
4. An integrated cashless transaction system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the packet based communication unit is such as an IP Telephony based phone.
5. An integrated cashless transaction system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reading unit is configured to read a user object provided by the user of the transaction system and enable the transaction processing unit to appropriately process the transaction.
6. An integrated cashless transaction system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reading unit is such as a magnetic card reader, scanner and a touch-screen based reader.
7. An integrated cashless transaction system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the information server is a host processor and/ or a bank server.

8. An integrated cashless transaction system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the user object provided by the user of the transaction system is such as a debit card, credit card, thumb print and hand print.
9. An integrated cashless transaction system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printing unit is such as a record printer to provide the user of the transaction system with a record of the transaction.
10. An integrated cashless transaction system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the integrated cashless transaction system is integrated with a user interface coupled to the transaction processing unit.
Dated this 29th day of June 2011
Of Anand and Anand, Advocates Agents for the Applicants